It was certainly a case of points dropped in Frome Town’s promotion push as reminiscent of the Willand Rovers game they came up against a goalkeeper in inspired form and failed to take advantage of the many goal scoring opportunities created. Local derbies are often feisty affairs but this one was not so much.
Frome got off to a good start when Cottle broke free in the opposition area and although he was heading away from goal Sainsbury brought him for an obvious penalty which Monks expertly placed in the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead on 10 minutes.
The hosts equalised on 19 when a lofted free kick from just inside the Frome half was punched away, finally landing at the feet of Butcher who drove a great shot along the ground from outside the area giving the goalkeeper no chance. Both sides had a couple more chances before Cottle reinstated Frome’s lead with a left foot drive to the far post following a good build up from Simpson. On the stroke of half time Simpson found himself 1v1 with Sainsbury who made a great save to keep it 1-2. In the second half you expected the hosts to dominate but it was Frome who had the better of it with golden opportunities for Simpson, Mannings and Cottle all calling on the home ‘keeper who was growing in confidence all the time. At the other end captain Sam Teale threw himself to the ground to block a Paulton attack but it looked like there would only be one winner at this stage.
However, the constant Frome pressure came to nothing and in the 73rd minute Felix drifted in a lovely cross with the outside of his right foot which Bament appeared to convert in slow motion past Phillips in the Frome goal.
With 10 minutes left Cottle broke away and was brought down by the last defender but the seemingly "stonewall penalty" claim was waved away and the last chance of the game summed it up when a fierce strike from Mannings rebounded off the goalkeeper to safety.
Hopefully the many missed chances will not come back to haunt Frome as the season draws to an end.
MoM: Sam Teale
Goals: Monks (pen), Cottle
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